Locker handle



L. O. VOGT LOCKER HANDLE Jan. 28, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 6, 1955 Jan. 28, 1958 L. O. VOGT LOCKER HANDLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 6, 1955 Jan. 28, 1958 1.. o. VOGT 2,821,425

LOCKER i-iKNbLE Filed Jan. 6, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 28, 1958 L. o. voe'r LOCKER HANDLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 6, 1955 .ieozz a? WW J LOCKER HANDLE Filed Jan. 6, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I if :i

IJOCKERHANDLE Application January 6, 1955; SerialiNo. 480,172-

122 Claims: (1 l- Z92- e 3fi 3h nv ntiqn es t loc r; onstru t o s nd p ticular vo mp e handl echanisms; o oc er s. an impor an bj ct f: th pr ent n enti n to p ov de a. n w nd mproved handle ons ruction. fo metal; lockers h han e ons uc on; b in the yp wherein the grasping portion is. recessed and; the handle has-ani v v a Portion surro ing hehandle on i in a. doorand lying flush against the outer; surface of h t o r,

Another object Of: the invention; isto provide; an im proved handle mechanism of the type set forthinwhich all of the. principal handle parts are; madefromsheet inetal usingv substantially standard stamping processes.

Yet another object ofthe invention is to provide; a handle mechanism of the type setfor-th inwhichithe hand grippingportion, is shaped so that the hand of: a: user is directed 'to the .most efieetiveopening position by the contour oi the recessed. grasping portion.

Still another. object of the invention is to providea handle mechanism having a. recessed or hand-hold pore tion which can v be. made; for. I either aileft-hand' application. from the same metal stamping by. merely reversing. the stamping process- Still another, object: of the present invention isitoiproq. vide ahandle-mechanisrn of'the type set: forth which can be constructed for; amueh lower cost: and yet present a pleasing and distinctive apperance-and'a. sturdyconstruction;

These and other; objects. and-advantages oftheiinvention will be. better understood. from. thefollowing description: when taken-in: connection with the accompanying draw-- ings In the drawings whereinlike reference numerals havebeen. utilized; to. designate likeparts throughout:

Fig l is a-perspective, viewofthelocker on whichhas been installednthe handle mechanism of the presentin vention; th$zlk6rd00f being shownin the closed position;

Fig.2; is a view'similar to Fig. 1. showing-thedoonof" r p kq i in the opened. position to reveal the rear por-- tionofthehandle mechanism;

Fig. 3 is; a partial enlarged frontelevational view with certain parts. broken. away of the handle mechanism of the present invention;

Fig,- 4. is-a' view in vertical'section of-the handleimechanijsnr illustrated in Fig. 3 substantially as seen in the direction-of the arrows along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, thehandlemechanism being shown in the-latched position;

Fig; 5 is. a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the handle mechanism in the opening position;

Fig. 6 is a View. in horizontal: section substantially as seen in thedirection of the arrows along the lined-6' of Fig. 3; t

Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal section substantiallyas seen in the directionof the arrows along the line;7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional'vievv substantially as seer 1 in the direction of the arrows along the line 8--8 of Fig. 7

Fig.9 is an exploded perspective view as seen from the 2,821,425 Patented Jan. 28, 1958,

rear. ofc-the handle mechanism and; the: associated lock bar;

Fig. 10 is a partial enlarged exploded view of the lock bar and. the locker door at the point of engagement of the latchand the keeper;

Fig. 1;] is an enlarged perspective view of the keeper as. seen from the rear;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view with certain POfliQllSbIQken awaytillustrating theopening in the locker door, through. which. the. handle mechanism of'the present invention is adapted to be inserted;

Fig. 1-3 is apartialiview inhorizontal section illustrating the engagement:v Qfi hfi. lock bar with the locker door;-

Fig;.1;4 is a: plan; view of the sheet metal blank from which the padlock: staple of the present invention is formeds.

F g 8,- hmlight 18am views. showing the progressive formation,oi-theblankof'liig. 1.4:into the finished padlock staple.

Fig, 19,. is-a view'inmentical' section through the staple of- Fig 18;. as seeni ei-di1'-ecti0n.of the arrows along the .in. 9-- 9 o E g- 8;.

Eig;., 20.is;a-.p1an VifiW; of. the sheet metal blank from which h handlesideand attachment plate ofthe handle of. he present. inventionv s m Figs. 2,1 andZZiShQW the two stepsiinforming the blank of. Big. 20 into; the-finished handle side and attachment pla Fig. 23 is a perspective view with one portion broken away of: the handle Side: and attachment plate of the present. invention;

Fig. 2 4..is1a plan view of the; sheet metal blank from.

' which, thehandlehody of thQPIQQSfiIlI invention isformed;

Fig. .2, 5 .is.,an edge. view. showing the: first stepin: shaping he; b an o B g. 20.! n o he: fi ished: a d b dy;

Fig. 26 is a. view. in. horizontal section. asseen in. the dire tion. o he r ow a ong h 1ine2e .2r of: Fi

Fig-2.7. isa side. view sho n the econd step. i shap n the blank o F g 24 ntothe andle of Fig; 2

Big... 28. is. a view in.-ho z n l= se n. a -seen in he r c ionot-the arrows 28:2 o t 7;:

F g-l9. is a deview. of th han leb dv as nlir' orm ndeiq enssemblv wi th he nd epnrts; nd:

Big! isa view. in h riz nt l. s ctionz ,sn s an ially'ae e n n. he direc iontot the arrows. along, the line! savane inafir t tnli gnresi and 2 of h r ngs. there; is o n a metal; lo kerion w ch the ndle me hanism. 38 of e present inventi n is. particularly ap ed o: be pp dhe locke g n r l y- -des:is atedy he numeral 'and inclu es adaq 42. receired ithin atime an i ge her o by. nges 5- me when attached thereto a, pain of lockerfsides .485 andgSO, a top, 521, c (no hown), and. abottom. 54. A a t such as shelf .6 may pro ided-Qt plurality n e vesrnew p e he nqke i suit bly uppor e .1 9%: a suhjacent support by a plurgality oi legs. 58. r

h o tr c of t edncr 421.6 hi h.- he handle: mechanism at d. a be best under tand y area ring to F gu es Q.1. Qf nedr wing I il ase that a. substantially rectangnlar aperture-6Q, is fqrmed int, t or p n h ong. imens nnf. apert e 6. 1 end r a lv- Fo med tegrally on th pnr ion ofi the door defining theupper edge of aperture 60 isanoute wardly direct Hans? .2... hi h. carr s a bb r bump r m mb tse Fig, 4),- Al o. orme nt ra y- 5 1i. the portio'n of the door defining the lower edge of 312.611; ture 60 is another flange 66 similar to flange figand snp; porting thereon a second rubber bumper .njenglgel 68 1A portion of the door walldefining the lower edge of. 8R6? n 0. is cut away nd bent. tsnb tantially i ht gles. tn h s rfa at, dear, 42.19 i nn. ap sis tiqn 0. 1%

3 ing a circular aperture 72 formed therein. Each of flanges 62 and 66 extends inwardly toward the center of the locker when the door 42 is closed and the projection 70 extends outwardly away from the locker when the door is closed.

The edge of door 42 extending vertically adjacent aperture 60 is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 74 which is provided on its free 'end with a flange 76 that extends toward the center of door 42 and substantially parallel with the forward and outer panel of door 42. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the channel formed by flanges 74 and 76 serves to receiv and guide the lock bar.

The frame 44 adjacent the door 42 includes a frontal wall 78 having attached on one edge thereof aflange 80 and on the other a flange 82, the rear edge of flange 82 having another flange 84 disposed at right angles therewith and extending outwardly therefrom. Flange '80 receives a bolt 86 which extends through an aperture in side 48 and in cooperation with a nut 88 holds side 48 in operative connection with frame 44.

The handle mechanism 38 in general comprises a onepiece handle body generally designated by the numeral 90, a handle side and attachment plate 92 and a padlock staple 94. These three parts are secured together as by spot welding to form a one-piece handle adapted to fit 1n aperture 60 of door 42. Interconnection is made between the plate 92 and a lock bar 96 whereby the handle 38 provides means to unlatch the door from the frame 44 thereby permitting opening of the doorv about its hinges 46.

Construction of the handle body 90 can be best seen from Figures 29 and 30 of the drawings. A frontal side flange 98 is provided which has its major dimension extending vertically and overlying the portion of the door 42 defining the right hand edge of aperture 60 as viewed from the front. Formed integrally with side flange 98 is a curved section 100 which is shaped substantially to form a quarter cylinder terminating in an extended flat plate 102. Plate 102 extends substantially parallel to flange 98 and its ertical extent is substantially less than that of flange 98. Formed on the upper edge of plate 102 is a flange 104 which extends perpendicularly thereto and toward flange 98. The forward edge of flange 104 extends in front of flange 98 as may be best seen in Figure 29. Formed on the forward edge of flange 104 is an upstanding frontal plate 106 which is bent rearwardly at its upper end as at 108 and then is bent upwardly to provide an ornamental upper plate 110 lying substantially parallel to plate 106 and spaced rearwardly therefrom. There is formed on the'edge of flange 98 adjacent plate 106 a projection 112 having a boss 114 formed thereon which is adapted to be spot welded to plate 106 whereby to hold the various parts described above in assembled relationship. The contour of flange 104 is such as to conform to the curvature of the curved portion 100 whereby to form a substantially closed body at this point.

Formed on the lower edge of plate 102 is a flange 116 which extends forwardlytoward and beyond flange 98, flan e 116 being shaped similar to flange 104. the shape of flange 116 being shown best in Fi ure 30. Depending downwardly from the front edge of flange 116 is a verticallv disposed flange 118 which is offset rearwardly as at 120 to provide an ornamental frontal plate 122. A substantially elongated slot 124 is formed in flange 118, the shape and orientation of slot 124 being best seen in Figure 24. .Slot 124 in the finished handle assembly receives the.forwardlyprojecting portion of the padlock staple 94. .Thejunctionofflange 118 and flange 116 is provided with a pair of embossments 126.

The shape and construction of the .handle plate 92 can be best seen from Figure 23 of .the drawings. A major plate 128 is provided which is-adapted. to..overlie.-the

rear of plate 102 on the handle body when the handle body 90 and the handle plate 92 are assembled. A pair of forwardly extending embossments 130 are provided on plate 128 at the points at which spot welds are to be formed. A first flange 132 is formed on the upper edge of plate 128 and extends forwardly therefrom and is adapted to overlie flange 104 on handle body 90 in the assembled position. A similar flange 134 adapted to underlie flange 116 is formed on the lower edge of plate 128 and extends forwardly therefrom. A pair of apertures 136 is provided in plate 128, one of the apertures being positioned adjacent the top of the plate and the other adjacent the bottom to cooperate with the cover plate to be described later.

Attached to one of the vertically extending edges of plate 128 is a side 138 which has a substantially rectangular shape and is adapted to close the left hand side of the handle body as viewed in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. An upstanding ear 140 is formed on one of the edges of side 138 and a similar ear 142 is formed on the lower edge. Ear 140 has an aperture 144 formed therein and car 142 has an aperture 146 formed therein, these apertures being adapted to receive fasteners for connection to the lock bar 96.

A curved flange 148, Figure 23, is formed on the other edge of side 138, the shapeof flange 148 being substantially the same as the shape of the notches 150 formed in' plate 116 of the handle body, see Figure 30. The outer edge of curved flange 148 has a frontal side flange 152 formed therein which extends in a direction opposite to plate 128. When the members are in assembled position, flange 152 overlies a portion of the door front in the same manner that flange 98 on handle body 90 overlies a part of the door front adjacent the handle aperture 60.

Frontal flange 152 has an extension 154 formed on the upper end thereof having an embossment 156 which is adapted to lie behind the plate 106 on handle body 90, the embossment 156 being the point of formation of a spot weld between the handle plate 92 and the handle body 90. Another extension 158 is formed on the lower edge of frontal side flange 152 and carries a pair of embossments 160 which are adapted to lie behind plate 118 and mark the point of formation of spot welds between extension 158 and the plate 118 on handle body 90. Y The construction of the padlock staple 94 can be best seen from Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings. Referring to these figures it is seen that the staple 94 comprises a pair of flanges 162 and 164 which are adapted to lie in thesame plane and carry a plurality of embossments 166 thereon. Formed integrally with flanges 162 and 164 and:extending outwardly therefrom is a curved staple body 168 which is completely enclosed and has a pair of aligned apertures 170 formed therein. The staple body 168 is adapted to extend through the elongated slot 124 in handlebody 90 (see Figure 24) with the staple flanges 162 and 164 lying against the rear side of plate 118. Connection between the stample 94 and the handle body 90 is made by means of spot welding at the points indicated by the bosses 166 on the staple flanges 162 and 164.

When the handle body 90, the handle side plate 92 and the staple 94 are suitably assembled and spotwelded together, they form a completed handle 38 as shown in Figures 3, 6 and 9 of the drawings. The completed handle 38 is positioned on door 42 with the frontal flanges 98 and 152 overlying portions of the door defining the vertical edges of the handle opening 60. Plates 106 and 118 also overlie portions of the door defining the handle opening 60 as may be best seen in Figures 4 and 5. The

major portions of the handle extend rearwardly through the handle opening 60 to the rear of door 42.

The rear portions of the handle are covered and protected from the rear by means of a cover plate generally designated by the numeral 172 and includinga main rear plate 174 substantially rectangular in shape and k having a shape and a size to overlie and cover the rear of the assembled handle. Formed along one of the longitudinally extending edges of plate 174 is a side flange 176 which terminates just short of the door 42 in assemblbd position and has an outturned flange 178 formed thereon; The upper edge of plate 174 has a forwardly extending flange 180 formed integrally therewithadapted to overlie the top of the assembled handle. A small part circular cutout 182 is formedin the forward edge of flange 180 for the purpose which will be explained more fully hereina-fter. A similar lower flange 184 is formed on the lower edge of plate 174, flange 184 being shaped identical with flange 180 and including a part circular cutout portion. A pair of apertures 186 is provided in plate 174 to receive a pair of screws 188-which serve to connect the cover plate 172 and the assembled handle 38 engaging the apertures 136 in plate 128.

The assembled handle is useful inmoving the lock bar 96 from looking to released position and thereafter moving the door 42 to the opened position. The construction and operation of lock bar 96 can be best seen by referring to Figures 6 through 13. Referring first to Figure 13 it will be seen that the lock bar is generally U-shaped having a pair of forwardly directed flanges 190 and 192 interconnected by a member 194. The lock bar extends substantially the entire length of the front of the door and is received between the front of the door 42 and flange 76 and is held therein by the flange 74 cooperating With a lug 196 struck from flange 76 and extending toward the front of door 42. Lug 196 is adapted to be received by an L-shaped slot 198 inlock bar-96 (see Figure 9) and holds the lock bar in position by engaging an edge 200 on member 194. Since slot 198 is L-shaped the lock bar 96 can beremovedfrom the door by moving the lock bar to the proper position I whereby to disengage lug 196. j

The latching mechanism comprises a resilient latch member 202 cooperating with a keeper 204. Resilient latch member 202 is held in position on lock bar {96 by a suitably shaped plate 206 (see Figures 8 and 10) and extends downwardly in front of an aperture 208 formedin lock bar 96. Aperture 208 inlocking position corresponds with and is aligned with an aperture 210 in door flange 76 through which the keeper 204 is adapted to extend for engagement with theresilient latch 202.

Referring to Figure 11 it will be seen that the keeper 204 is a struck out portion formed on a flange 212 having attached thereto a second flange 214 and an attachment flange 216. Flange 216 is attached to frame flange'82. A resilient bumper member 218 is provided on the side. of flange 214 facing door flange 76 to absorb the shock of closing door 42.

When the door is closed, the keeper 204 extends" through apertures 208 and 210 in a position so that the resilient latch 202 engages behind the keeper 204, as may be best seen in Figure 7. When lock bar 96 is moved upwardly by movement of the handle, the lower end of latch 202 is raised above keeper 204 whereby to free the door for an opening movement. It is to be understood that a plurality of resilient latches 202 and keepers 204 can be provided throughout the length of the door, two such latch and keeper assemblies being shown in Figure 2 of the drawings as indicated by the numerals 220.

Latch disengaging movement of lock bar 96 is effected bythe handle assembly. To this end a pair of screws 222 extend through the apertures 144 and 146, respectively, in side 138 of plate 92 and engage aligned apertures in lock bar flange 190. The members are so arranged that when the handle is, inthe lower position, as shown in Figure 4, with handle {flange 116 resting upon rubber bumper 68, the latches 202 engage behind keepers 204. When the handle assembly is lifted to the position shown in Figure 5, the lower ends of the latches 202 are raised above the keepers 204 whereby to disengage the latches from the keepers. With the members in this position the door 42 can be swung to the open position. Upon release of the handle assembly the members resume the position shown in Figure 4. In closing the. door the handle assembly-need not be lifted since the resilient latches 202 will move across; the cam surface of the keeper 204 and fall into locking position as illustrated in Figure 7.

In order to make the movement ofthe handle assemblynnoresmooth, a plurality of projections .are formed on the portion of door 42 adjacent the handle. More particularly, a pair of projections 224' are formed in the door front above the handle opening and a pair of projections 226 are formed in the doorfront below the. handle opening; Projections '224 and '226 extend. outwardly to engage-behind the moving :parts of the 'door assembly to assure smooth operation thereof.

It-can now be seen thatthe shaping of the handle and particularly thecurved surface 102 and the flange 148 serves to form a convenient and safe handle for the locker. The handleillustrated is a so-called right'hand handle in that it is adapted tobe opened by the users right hand. When the, user first, extends his fingers into thehandle opening, the fingers will be guided by the curved portion to the left, as viewed in Figure 6, whereby to engage behind the flange, 148. Lifting the hand brings it into contactwith, the flange 104 at the top ofthe-handle, as'seen'inFigures 4 and 5, and, accordingly, the handle can be easily and safely lifted. Pressure applied by the fingers on flange 148 then makes it possible to swing the door-to the opened position. During this entire operation the hand of the user comes into contact only with members which move with the handle and no protruding members are encountered.

Two types of locking mechanisms by which the door [can be locked with a key are illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and S. The-firstofthe locking mechanisms includes the .padlock staple 94coopera'ting with the projection 70 mounted permanently on the door front. If, a lock. such asa padlock isinserted through the"alignedzaperture-s and 172. in staple 94 and the projection 70, respectively, when the members are in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4,. the lock bar will be permanently fixed in the locked position.

An alternative manner of locking the door 42, in. the closed position is provided by a lock 228 having a shifta'ble bolt 230'. The usual keyopening 232 is provided in the front face of the door which canmove the bolt .230 from locked to opened position. Lock 228 is suitably positioned upon the door 42 by a pair of bolts 234 having, nuts 236 threaded thereon. The lock bolt 230 extends through an aperture 238 in lock bar flange 190 whereby to hold the lock bar 96 in the down or locked position.

One of the important features of the present invention lies in the fact that various members of the handleassemr bly can be made from sheet metal by proper sheet metalworking operations to provide parts, which when assenir' bled produce a strong and ornamental handle. It has been found that suitable strength can be provided in the handle if the handle body 90, the side plate 92 and the staple, 94 are formed from 16 gauge sheet metal. Slightly heavier or slightly lighter gauge sheet metal may be used, depending upon the mechanical requirements to be met.

The manner of forming staple 94 from sheet metal is shown in Figures 14 through 19. A piece of sheet metal is first cut to provide a blank 240 having the shape illustrated in Figure 14. Blank 240 is next bent along fold 1 lines 242, 244 and 246 to the position shown in Figure 15.

Next the aperture170 is punched through the body 168.

The manner of forming the handle side plate 92 is shown in Figures 20 through 23 of the drawings. A blank 248 is first formed from a piece of flat sheet metal,

,. the blank having a shape asshown in Figure 20. During the forming operation the apertures 136, 144 and 146 are punched and the bosses 130, 156 and 158 are formed. The blank is then folded along fold lines 250, 252 and 254 to the shape shown in Figure 21. During this operation the flanges 132 and 134 are formed also by folding along lines 256 and 258, respectively. In the final forming step, the blank shown in Figure 21 is folded along line 260 to produce the finished side plate 92 illustrated in Figures 22 and 23.

The various steps in forming the sheet metal handle body 90 are shown in Figures 24 through 30 of the drawings. A blank 262 is first cut from a flat piece of sheet metal and during this operation the elongated slot 124 and the projections or bosses 114 are formed. In the next step the blank 262 is folded along line 264 to form the front flange 98 and along fold lines 266, 268, 270 and 272 to form the frontal plates 110 and 122. Next the blank 262 is folded along fold lines 274, 276, 278 and 280 to produce flanges 104 and 116 and plates 106 and 118, the shape of the blank at this step in its formation being shown in Figures 27 and 28. In the final forming step the embossments 126 are formed and the blank has its central portion bent to form the rounded portion 100 and the back plate 102. This produces the finished handle body 92.

Figures 24 through 30 show the formation of a right hand handle. A left hand handle can be formed from the same blank 262 by reversing the bending operations. More specifically, the bending operation along fold line 264 is reversed and all of the other folding operations are reversed, the finished product being a left hand handle.

It will be seen that there has been provided a locker and handle construction which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. A handle having a recessed hand hold has been provided which includes surfaces that guide the fingers to the most effective door openmg position and protect the fingers during this move ment from sharp corners or from pinching due to relative movement between the handle parts. All the major parts of the handle are made from sheet metal by stampng, folding and forming operations. The resultant handle is substantially more economical than recessed handles used heretofore and may cost as little as fifty percent as much as prior handles. The various parts of the handle can be folded into either right hand or left hand handles using the same blanks by merely reversing the direction of the folding operation.

Although 'a preferred form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A handle assembly for a door having an opening therethrough, comprising a handle mounted in the door opening, said handle having a plate-like portion extending over and concealing the edges of the opening at the front of the door and a finger receiving portion extending through the opening in the door and rearwardly thereof, and a finger gripping member formed on said handle and adapted to receive and to be engaged by' the outer ends of the fingers of a user, said finger gripping member being formed integral with the adjacent plate-like portion and including a surface extending substantially parallel to the face of the door whereby to provide a continuous smooth surface to receive the fingers of a user.

2. A handle assembly for a door having an opening therethrough, comprising a handle mounted in the door opening, said handle having a plate-like portion extending over and concealing the edges of the opening at the front of the door and a finger receiving portion extending through the opening in the door and rearwardly thereof, and a finger gripping member formed on said handle and 8 adapted to receive and to be engaged by the outer ends of the fingers of a user, said finger receiving port-ion including a curved wall directing the ends of the fingers of a user toward said finger gripping member.

3. A handle assembly for a door having an opening therethrough, comprising a sheet metal handle mounted in the door opening, said handle having a plate-like portion extending over and covering the edges of the opening at the front of the door and a finger receiving portion extending through the opening in the door and rearwardly thereof, and a finger gripping member formed integral with said plate-like portion and adapted to receive and to be engaged by the outer ends of the fingers of a user, said finger receiving portion including a curved wall formed integral with said plate-like portion and directing the ends of the fingers of a user toward said finger gripping member, all portions of said handle accessible to the fingers of a user positioned in said finger receiving portion moving with said handle whereby to prevent injury to the fingers of the user in opening the door.

4. In a locker having a door and a locking mechanism shiftably mounted on the rear of the door, the door having an opening therein, a handle mounted in the door opening and having a plate-like portion extending over the edges of the opening at the front of the door and a finger receiving portion extending through the door opening and rearwardly thereof, means interconnecting said handle and the locking mechanism, a projection formed on the door and extending outwardly therefrom, and a staple formed integral with said handle and extending outwardly and surrounding said projection when the door is closed, said staple and said projection having apertures therethrough which are aligned when the handle is in the locking position.

5. A sheet metal handle comprising a rear plate, a pair of frontal flanges spaced from said rear plate and extending in opposite directions from the ends of said rear plate, a pair of interconnecting flanges interconnecting said frontal flanges and said rear plate, a pair of side flanges positioned between said frontal flanges and said rear plate and having portions overlying the rear surface of said frontal flanges and secured thereto, a finger gripping flange formed integral with one of said side flanges, a side plate extending between said finger gripping flange and said rear plate, and a curved plate interconnecting said rear plate and the other of said side flanges, said curved plate directing the fingers of the user toward and into engagement with said finger gripping flange.

6.- A sheet metal handle comprising a sheet metal body and a sheet metal side member, said body including a rear plate having formed on opposite ends thereof forwardly' extending flanges terminating in oppositely disposed frontal flanges spaced forwardly from said rear plate, a curved plate formed integral with said rear plate and extending toward said frontal flanges, said curved plate having formed on the forward end thereof a side flange positioned between said rear plate and said frontal flanges and having portions extending behind said frontal flanges and secured thereto, said side member including a second rear plate positioned behind said body rear plate and having formed on one edge thereof a side plate, a finger gripping portion formed integral with the forwardly disposed edge of said side plate, and a second side flange formed integral with said finger gripping portion and having portions lying I ing in an opposite direction from the ends of said rear plate, a pair of interconnecting flanges interconnecting said frontal flanges and said rear plate, a pair of side flanges positioned between said frontal flanges and said .rear plate and having portions overlying the rear surface of saidfrontal flanges and secured thereto, a finger gripping flange formed integral with one of said side flanges, a side plate extending between said finger gripping flange and said rear plate, a curved plate interconnecting said rear plate and the other of said side flanges, said curved plate directing the fingers of the user toward and into engagement with said finger gripping flange, an elongated slot in one of said flanges, and a staple having flanges attached behind said one frontal flange and having side portions extending through said elongated slot and joined at the forward ends thereof, said side portions having aligned apertures therein to receive a lock member.

8. A body for a sheet metal housing comprising a rear plate having formed on opposite ends thereof forwardly extending flanges terminating inoppositely disposed frontal flanges spaced forwardly from said rear plate, and a curved plate formed integral with said rear plate and extending toward said frontal flanges, said curved plate having formed on the forward end thereof a side flange positioned between said rear plate and said frontal flanges and having portions extending behind said frontal flanges.

9. A body for a sheet metal handle comprising a rear plate having forwardly extending flanges formed on opposite ends thereof and terminating in oppositely disposed Irontal flanges spaced forwardly from said rear plate, the junction between one of said forwardly extending flanges and one of said frontal flanges having a reinforcing embossment means formed thereon, a curved plate formed integral with said rear plate and extending forwardly toward said frontal flanges, and a side flange formed on the forward end of said curved plate and positioned between said rear plate and said frontal flanges, said side flange having portions extending behind said frontal flanges, said portions having boss means formed thereon behind said frontal flanges.

10. A side member for a sheet metal handle comprising a rear plate, a side plate formed on one of the longitudi nally extending edges of said rear plate and substantially perpendicularly thereto, a finger gripping portion formed integral with the forwardly disposed edge of said side plate and partially overlying said rear plate, a front flange 10 formed integral with said finger gripping portion and extending parallel to said rear plate, each of the opposed ends of said rear plate having a flange thereon and extending forwardly therefrom toward said finger gripping portion, and an apertured ear formed on each of the free ends of said side plate.

11. A blank for forming a body for a sheet metal handle comprising a substantially rectangular member, a first flange portion extending from a first edge of said member, a second flange extending from the edge of said member opposite said first edge, and a third flange formed on an edge of said member interconnecting said first mentioned edges and having portions extending outwardly and along said first mentioned flanges, said blank being foldable in one manner to form a left hand body and being foldable in another manner to provide a right hand body.

12. A blank for forming a side member for a sheet metal handle comprising a substantially rectangular main portion, a first set of projections formed on opposite edges of said main portion extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to be folded together with a portion of said main portion to form a side flange, a second portion of said main portion being adapted to be folded to form a finger gripping portion, and projections formed on said opposed edges of said main portion adjacent one side thereof and adapted to be folded with a part of said main portion to form a front flange, said blank being foldable in one manner to form a left hand side member and being foldable in another manner to form a right hand side member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 458,839 Turner Sept. 1, 1891 2,233,028 OConnor Feb. 25, 1941 2,370,841 Chervenka Mar. 6, 1945 2,568,592 OConnor Sept. 18, 1951 2,595,473 OConnor May 6, 1952 2,637,584 Atkinson May 5, 1953 2,688,181 Livermont et al Sept. 7, 1954 

